Corletto ready for emotional netball adieu

Diamonds goal defence Julie Corletto will pull on the green and gold for the 52nd and final time in Sunday's Netball World Cup final against New Zealand.

Julie Corletto.

Diamonds goal defence Julie Corletto will play her 52nd and final Test against New Zealand. (AAP)

Australia's Netball World Cup final will be especially emotional for Julie Corletto.

The 28-year-old goal defence will play her 52nd and final Test against New Zealand in Sydney on Sunday, before dropping the curtain on her illustrious 12-year netball career.

"All my family and friends are here, so it's good to see them in the crowd," Corletto said before the highly anticipated showdown.

"It probably will be a little bit emotional, but I love the game and can't wait to get out there."

A veteran of both the 2007 and 2011 world titles-winning Diamonds teams, Corletto thought it was fitting her swansong would be against the side Australia beat in both instances.

"It always seems to be against New Zealand," she said.

"They're a quality side so we're expecting nothing less than a tough match. And it will be."

Shooter Caitlin Bassett said the whole squad wanted to make the moment special for Corletto, citing a World Cup hat-trick at home as the perfect way to send off their accomplished teammate.

"It will be an emotional game, especially for Julie," she said.

"For all of us we want to help end her career on a high.

"That's going to be something important."

Corletto's bulging portfolio of achievements doesn't end in the international arena.

It also features a national league title with Melbourne Phoenix in 2005 and a trans-Tasman championship with Melbourne Vixens in 2009.

Her list of individual accolades includes winning the Liz Ellis Diamond in 2009 and the 2004 trophy for best new talent in the national league.

Renowned for her athleticism, the outgoing NSW Swifts star has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons - one of the reasons she's only played in just over 50 per cent of the 92 Tests Australia has contested since her debut against Jamaica in 2007.

Having been heavily managed throughout the tournament to cater for a troublesome knee, Corletto felt sure her body would rise to the occasion one last time.

"One more game I'll be fine," she laughed.


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Source: AAP


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